Research

Garrett Schumann’s interdisciplinary music research involves topics that range from Heavy Metal music, to artificial intelligence, and the socio-political power structures that shape musical cultures and practices. This work combines aspects of musicology, music theory, critical theory, and sociology by drawing on precedents from bell hooks, Robin James, Rinaldo Walcott, Samuel Floyd, and Robert Walser, among many other academics and writers.

A proud public scholar, Garrett’s most recent publication in the Cambridge University Press journal Public is open access, and he writes frequently for public-facing outlets like The New York Times, Chamber Music, Early Music America Magazine, and VAN Magazine. He also frequently presents his work at conferences, university guest residencies, and public libraries across the United States and in Europe.

In 2024, Garrett partnered with the late musicologist Charles Garrett to produce a new massive, open, online course about artificial intelligence technology’s impact on creative practice across different disciplines and industries. “A.I. for Creative Work” is available on Coursera or for free to University of Michigan community members via ‘Michigan Online’.

Garrett teaches courses on music, community practice, and identity for the University of Michigan’s College of Literature, Science & the Arts. From 2020-2024, Garrett served on the Editorial Board for Groundworks, a digital journal showcasing innovative achievements in arts-integrative research. And, in 2024, Garrett joined the editorial board for Black Music, in Theory, a newhjournal published by the University of Michigan Press.